On International Women’s Day, we celebrate the women who quietly, and courageously, paved the way for the generations that followed.

When Gwen first joined St John Ambulance Victoria as a cadet in 1971, the world looked very different for women.

“Back then,” she reflects, “it was considered an honourable career for women to be a secretary or a nurse. It was fairly unheard of for a woman to be a doctor, let alone an engineer.”

She remembers driving her husband, a paramedic, to work because they shared one car, and having a spirited debate with his station manager who insisted women would never work in the ambulance service.

“I said to him, it will happen sooner or later.”

She was right.

From Cadet to 50+ Years of Service

Starting in what was then the Boronia Basin Cadet Division (now Knox Division), Gwen found her calling early, bandaging dolls as a child and discovering first aid through St John youth.

More than five decades later, she has served nearly 55 years and in November 2025 she received her Ultra Long Service Medal for her 50+ of dedication to St John in a special celebration at the Government House.

Bushfires. Major incidents. Community events. Communications shifts. Training new volunteers. She has been there for it all.

From the devastating Ash Wednesday fires to standing by during a serious air crash at Lilydale Air Show, she has witnessed the very best, and the most confronting parts of frontline care.

In one critical moment, she sat beside a severely injured man, reassuring him and his wife while waiting for the air ambulance to arrive at The Alfred Hospital.

“You can’t always fix everything,” she says. “Sometimes it’s about looking after someone, encouraging them, reassuring them that they’re in the best hands possible.”

It’s a quiet strength, one that defines so many women in emergency response.

Leadership in Uniform

She speaks warmly about what it means to wear the St John uniform.

“When you’re in uniform, you look like an authority. People approach you because they believe you know what to do.”

Now serving as a Training and Development Officer and regularly volunteering in communications, she continues to guide the next generation, mentoring young members, coordinating crews, and ensuring events run safely across Victoria.

St John, Gwen says, feels like family. Many of the people she grew up volunteering with are still alongside her today. And each new volunteer who joins becomes part of that extended family.

Empowering Women Through First Aid

As a former teacher in adult learning, including nursing and community services education at Swinburne, she is passionate about empowering others, particularly women.

“Women are often the beginning of parenthood,” she says. “Children get injured. Things happen. If you have first aid knowledge, you can deal with it without panicking.”

She recalls a neighbour in a panic when her young son was injured. “By her third child, she was much calmer,” she laughs. “Knowledge builds confidence.” And confidence saves lives.

Breaking Barriers, Opening Doors

Over the course of her lifetime, she has seen enormous change.

From a time when women were discouraged from joining emergency services, to today, where women lead, teach, respond and innovate across every part of St John.

Her advice to younger women?

“Do the things you like doing. Try different things. Careers don’t have to be one path anymore. You might have many.”

Most importantly: “There shouldn’t be definitions about what women or men can do.”

This International Women’s Day

We honour women like Gwen, who challenged expectations, stood their ground, and dedicated decades to serving the Victorian community.

Because of women like her, the next generation doesn’t have to argue about whether they belong. They already do.

At St John Ambulance Victoria, we are proud to stand alongside the women who lead, teach, respond and inspire, today and every day.

Happy International Women’s Day.